Category: News

Sandy Hook weapons case thrown out by Connecticut supreme court

Hartford, Connecticut, Oct 14 — Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis dismissed a lawsuit filed by parents of Sandy Hook massacre victims that took place in 2012. The US Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act cited as a legal immunity provided to weapons manufacturers from liability in this situation, (further recommended reading).

Read full article at the Hartford Courant.

Our possible interpretation

The Sandy Hook massacre is a no-doubt an incomprehensible tragedy. It is likely that many parents of the countless victims will never psychologically recover over their losses. This case made sense for an untamable anguish longing justice to an infinite loss within the dark void of injustice as the shooter committed suicide.

But in the legal world emotions, morality and the law though sometimes intertwined are woven from entirely different threads. These threads hold the large fabric that spans from coast to coast, person to person. Seeking “justice” from the weapons manufacturers for illegal acts committed by mentally unstable individuals is not different than seeking “justice” from rope makers whose rope ISIL terrorists use to hang innocent Christians.

Each time such cases pull out the individual threads, the fabric of freedom enfeebles. The pulled out threads however do not vanish but lay in darkness where they meticulously weave themselves into a rope with which we will hang ourselves when the fabric of freedom is reduced to lint.

 

S-300 and S-400 SAM-PVO now deployed in Syria

Syria, October 6 — Syrian ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad confirmed the deployment of the S-300 surface-to-air system in Syria, citing required [air defense] protection for Russian troops.

In addition Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed “let me repeat: both the S-300 and the S-400 are purely defensive armaments, which do not threaten anyone”.

Our possible interpretation:

— The Russian S-300 and the S-400 SAMs (surface-to-air) armaments (built by the Russian defense contractor Almaz-Antey) are considered to be the most advanced mobile “air-defense curtains” currently deployed in the world.

In terms of a game of chess, imagine two rooks staggered near each other in such a manner that no enemy pieces can “pass” the kill zones illuminated by the rooks. In a somewhat similar fashion any number of S-300/S-400 systems can be linked to create essentially “air kill zones”, even to high altitude stealth aircraft.

The system according to Russian foreign minister is for “defensive” purposes. Yes but last we were able to check, the ISIS/ISIL forces are not operating high altitude stealth bombers or reconnaissance, or for the matter of fact operating any combat aviation assets in the area.

This leaves the US and the Coalition forces, including Turkey with combat aviation assets in the area. Perhaps this has nothing at all to do with the US-led coalition destruction of a Syrian army unit in middle of last month. Perhaps otherwise.

Although mobile SAMs are “defensive armaments” do keep in mind that it is always a good idea to move SAMs forward into the enemy territory just before opening a new incursion front. (As an example see the October 6, 1973 Yom Kippur War).

Read both, full article at TASS Riyad Haddad, Sergey Lavrov comments, DW (Syrian army bombed by US).

Violent protests against violence continue in US Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina, September 21 — During the second night of violent protests in Charlotte a man was critically injured from a gunshot. According to Charlotte’s officials the injured man was involved in “a civilian on civilian confrontation” – reports Washington Post.

This in addition to earlier circulating image of a man driving with a handgun out of the driver’s side window (brandishing a firearm in such irresponsible manner in a populated area is illegal in many states in the USA).

The violent riots began after police shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott who allegedly was armed and refused to follow police commands to drop the weapon. This appears to be a stark contrast of the account given by a family member of the deceased and the police – reported via USA Today.

 

There are many questions still unanswered. In due time answers will shed light on what really happened. What makes no sense at all is why do citizens choose to burn down and vandalize their local businesses, streets, incite chaos and shoot one another.

Read the full articles at the Washington Post, USA Today.

Federal court charges VW engineer over smog device

US, September 9 — Volkswagen engineer James Liang has pleaded guilty to US federal charges to conspiracy. Allegedly Mr. Liang helped develop the emissions defeat device for the Jetta cars in 2006 while working at VW’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, reports Deutsche Welle (DW).

 

Read the full article at Deutsche Welle.

Al-Nusra Front commander killed near Aleppo

Syria, Semptember 8 — Syrian rebel group Fateh al-Sham Front (Al-Nusra Front) reported earlier the chief Abu Omar Sarakeb was killed in Aleppo province. Appears the death was the result of an airstrike but is unclear from which nation.

Al-Nusra Front is a terrorist organization under US State Department’s terrorist organizations list, (05/15/2014).

Read full article at DW.

Russian defense R&D on 5th generation MRSA missiles

Kubinka, Russia, September 8 — Russia’s military technology bureau Almaz-Antey Concern has begun work on the fifth-generation medium range surface to air missile system. The new system will have smaller missiles with more efficient propulsion system enabling better endurance capability.

Report also explains the capacity for the launch platform is increased from four to six missiles. The new missile will incorporate newest target acquisition system, have improved anti-jamming capability and higher destruction area. Allegedly twice better overall capability from previous models.

The design bureau works in conjunction with JSC Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Design.

Read the full article at TASS.

Freedom of press – not in Turkey

Ankara, September 06 — Deutsche Welle (DW.com) conducted an interview earlier with Turkey’s Youth and Sports Minister Akif Cagatay Kilic. DW asked many questions that were allegedly agreed upon in advance.

Upon completion of the interview Turkish representatives detained the DW interviewing crew until they surrendered the interview footage.

Reasons for confiscation cited (much later) by Ubeydullah Yener, Turkish press officer of the Sport Minister said “There was no authorisation for the interview. The questions asked were not the ones that were planned. Mr. Friendman himself knows exactly why this happened. Some statements were right out allegations. In such a situation, there was no authorization granted.” — writes DW.

DW Director General Peter Limbourg commented on the situation, “[this] incident is a proof of blatant violation of press freedom in Turkey. What we are experiencing constitutes an act of the Turkish regime’s coercion. It no longer follows the rule of law and has nothing to do with democracy….” – reports DW. (We encourage you to read the full article at DW, see links below.)

A serious system is one which grants freedom of speech and press. A serious system is one which categorically restricts freedom of speech and press but that is the system’s normal modus operandi. A spurious system is one which pretends to grant freedom of speech and press but nullifies such grants arbitrarily. K.Hemway

Read the full article at DW.
Read the full article at HurriyetDailyNews.

Terminating Muhammad al-Adnani “a joke”?

Russia, September 2 — Political conversation over which nation  (US or Russian Federation) liquidated the ISIL terrorist spokesman Muhammad al-Adnani continues.

Apparently US claims its air operation with other coalition forces (excluding Russian Federation) likely liquidated ISIL spokesman Muhammad al-Adnani. Around the same time of US-coalition operations the Russian Federation was conducting its own air strikes in Aleppo province on August 30. Russian Defense Ministry reported via field intelligence that al-Adnani was among deceased, reports TASS.

Regardless which faction scored the terrorist liquidation matters less now as long as the target has indeed been liquidated. What is interesting is that there appears to be a growing enthusiastic fervor in continued liquidations of ISIL command and control chain of command between the two nations.

Read the full article at TASS.
Read US Department of Defense statements regarding bombs (Aug 30).